Self-leveling mechanism for use in maritime vessels.



F. G. GORY. SELF LEV'ELING MECHANISM FOR USE IN MARITIM E VESSELS.

APPLICATION PILEDTEB. 13. 1908- m m J V d m zz m 1 M 2 VF 0 a 1 J EB FRANK GILLETT CORY, OF TISBURY, ENGLAND.

SELF-LEVELING- MECHANISM FOR USE IN MARITIME VESSELS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Tan. 26, 1909.

Application filed February 18, 1908. Serial No. 416,618.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK GILLETT CORY, a subject of His Majesty the King of England, residing at Arundell House, Tisbury, in the county of Wilts, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Self-Leveling Mechanism for use in Maritime Vessels, of which'the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of berths for maritime vessels, receptacles for holding breakable or other articles, naval operating tables for surgeons, chairs or tables, where it is an advantage to keep them horizontal during the rolling and pitching of the maritime vessel, and

he object of the invention is, in addition to keeping the berths, etc., horizontal, to give them greater stability and less amplitude of oscillation than when suspended in the ordinary way. To effect this purpose for the transverse movement of the apparatus I use with each of theordinary flexible suspending attachments a segment or plate suspended from two separate points of support, and carrying on the segment or plate two projections or pins, one of which is always in gear with the suspended frame of the ordinary attachment during the transverse movement of the maritime vessel, thereby giving to the suspended frame of the ordinary attachment an additional point of support and greater stability, while in the longitudinal movement I suspend the berth, table or chair from a single point but guided and kept in horizontal position by a separate cradle having more than one point of support and to which it is geared by sliding pins or surfaces.

he following, description and drawing more particularly describe a ships berth, but the same leveling apparatus may be applied to any other form of receptacle or support where it is an advantage to keep the same in a horizontal position.

In reference to the annexed drawing Figure 1 is an elevation of a ship s berth, Fig. 2 a plan of the same, Fig. 3 a sectional elevation on line a: a Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 an elevation of the bulkhead attachment showing the position of the attachment when the ship is at an angle of 40 degrees from the horizontal.

A is an overhead beam or girder arched upwards to give greater head room and having attached to it at both ends a horizontal bar B from the ends of which suspending ropes or chains or equivalent means C, D carry the girder from the pin E. In order, however, to

give greater stability and less amplitude of oscillation I introduce between the girder A and the bulkhead at each end of the girder the segment F which is suspended by ropes or chains or equivalent means G, H from two points of support I, J on the bulkhead, and carries the two projecting pins K, L. Friction rollers M, M, M may also be fitted to the segment to take the thrust of the apparatus when pitching longitudinally, and, also if desired studs may be inserted in the segment between the projecting ends of the girder A and the segment F to reduce friction. The two ends of the girder A are extended below the horizontal bar B at each end of the girder and formed in a suitable curve, and the pins K, L are so located that they occupy the spaces in the angles formed by the horizontal bar B and the extended ends of the girder A but without necessarily taking the weight of the girder when the vessel is in a horizontal position. Referring to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the pins K, L steady the girder as the points I, J from which they are suspended are wide a art, but when the ship rolls as shown in Big. 4 to an angle of 40 degrees from the horizontal which may be considered the extreme angle to which a ship it ill roll, the horizontal bar B of the girder A is then carried by the pin L and the cord or its equivalent C, the pin L giving a thrust against the girder A which is counteracted by the tension of the cord C thereby giving stability, since the apparatus is still suspended from separate points. By suspending the berth from the pin E at a distance below the other points of suspension I, J the radius of oscillation is thereby reduced and also as the bar 13 is still kept horizontal there is less amplitude of oscillation.

From the girder A, I suspend a cradle N by means of rods 0, O and P, P having joints free to move on pins at both ends of each. Over the cradle N and from a central point above X, I suspend the berth Q at a short distance above the cradle N and said berth is kept in position with relation to the cradle by the pins R, R and S, S which work in the four angles of the cradle. When the vessel is at rest these four pins, which are connected with the berth, prevent the same from swinging, as the cradle N being supported from four separate points on the girder A is in stable equilibrium.

When by the motion of the ship the berth Q swings forwards, '11. 6. towards the right in Figs. 1 and 2 the pins S, S remain in gear with, while the pins R, R rise from, the cradle, the main points of support then being the central suspending point X and the points Y, Y as a thrust is given by the pins S, S against the recess in the cradle N on which the berth is then resting. When the berth Q swings backwards the main oints of support are then X and Z, Z and the thrust is then given by the pins R, R against the cradle N and the berth is then resting on corresponding points of the cradle in the opposite direction;

The stable equilibrium is maintained by the berth Q and the cradle N being suspended from separate points of support above, while below the pins R, R, S, S being wide apart from each other give additional stability by their thrust against the cradle. In order to raise or lower the head of the berth Q I fit the suspending cords, chains or equivalent means of the berth v\ ith adjusting screw s T, U in a position convenient for adjustment by the person occupying the berth. The screw T tightens or loosens the cord or chain 01' equivalent means V, V which passes over uileys while the screw U tightens or loosens t 1e cord or chain W, W guided over pulleys in a similar way. Cords or chains or equivalent means may be attached to the girder A at the top and fastened to the bulkhead to prevent any excessive transverse oscillation, and likevise, during rough seas, the ends or bottom of the berth Q may be attached to the bulkheads or deck by cords or chains or equivalent means to limit the longitudinal movement, and u hen these latter cords or the like are fully tightened by means of lever or other apparatus, no movement of the berth will take place.

When my invention is applied to a surgeons operating table, steps or seats may be suspended from one or both sides of the table on which the surgeon and his assistants can stand or sit, and in order to equalize the balance screws or levers can be attached between the berth Q, and the operating table above it to bring the table horizontal and so compensate for any greater weight on one side than the other.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In self-leveling mechanism the combi nation with a suspended frame having eX- tended ends and suspending attachments therefor, of a segment which is suspended from two separate points of support, said segment carrying projections adapted to co-act with said suspended frame to secure greater stability and less amplitude of oscillation thereof during transverse movement of the maritime vessel substantially as described.

2. In self-leveling mechanism the combination with a suspended frame having ex tended ends and suspending attachments therefor, of a segment suspended from two separate points of support, and two projections on the segment, one of said projections being always in contact with the said suse pended frame during the transverse movement of the maritime vessel substantially as described.

3. In self-leveling mechanism the combination with a suspended frame having eX- tended ends and suspending attachments therefor, of a segment suspended from two separate points of support located at a distance above the points of suspension of said frame, and two projections on the segment, said projections occupying the spaces in angles formed by the extended ends of said frame substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In self-leveling mechanism the combination with a frame and suspending attachments therefor, of a berth, suspended from a single point from said frame, and means, comprising a cradle located beneath said berth and having more than one point of pivotal support, for guiding, steadying and partially carrying the berth, both laterally and long tudinally, and keeping the same horizontal substantially as described.

5. In self-leveling mechanism the combination with a frame and suspending attachments therefor, of a cradle,-a berth located a small distance above the cradle, suspending means for the cradle from the frame and separate suspending means for the berth, the

former consisting of rods jointed at both ends, and having more than one point of support and the berth a single point of sup port, and engaging means between the berth, and the cradle whereby freedom is given to both the berth, and the cradle to move in different radii, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6; In self-leveling mechanism the combi nation with a frame and suspending attachments therefor, of a cradle, a berth located a small distance above the cradle, suspending means for the cradle from the frame and separate suspending means for the berth, the former consisting of rods jointed at'both ends and having more than one point of support and the berth a single point of support, and pins attached below the berth, for engaging the cradle whereby freedom is given to both the berth and the cradle to move in different radii, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I'have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY CONRAD HEIDE, V ALBERT GEORGE BARNES. 

